Cushings Disease

[Batmom]

Crap.

 

I don't think diabetes insipidus would produce those other symptoms. I did see one article that said, re d.i., to heck with the water deprivation test, just try desmopressin acetate and see if the dog responds (assuming no kidney issues).

 

Panting, lethargy, high blood pressure could be a heart issue but the other things don't really sound like that either.

 

University consult been done?

[AngelWhispers]

Crap.

 

I don't think diabetes insipidus would produce those other symptoms. I did see one article that said, re d.i., to heck with the water deprivation test, just try desmopressin acetate and see if the dog responds (assuming no kidney issues).

 

Panting, lethargy, high blood pressure could be a heart issue but the other things don't really sound like that either.

 

University consult been done?

 

Well, his kidneys are good, but who knows for how long.

 

I haven't talked to OSU yet, but if we don't find out what's going on in the next week, I'll definitely take him up there.

 

[Guest LindsaySF]

I don't think diabetes insipidus would produce those other symptoms. I did see one article that said, re d.i., to heck with the water deprivation test, just try desmopressin acetate and see if the dog responds (assuming no kidney issues).

Ditto. (Cody has DI). The current recommendation is to skip the water deprivation test and do an ADH trial. Your pup's symptoms don't sound like DI though.

 

 

His symptoms and bloodwork do sound like Cushings. Weird that the ACTH test was negative. Is it possible for both tests to give false negatives?

 

 

[AngelWhispers]

I don't think diabetes insipidus would produce those other symptoms. I did see one article that said, re d.i., to heck with the water deprivation test, just try desmopressin acetate and see if the dog responds (assuming no kidney issues).

Ditto. (Cody has DI). The current recommendation is to skip the water deprivation test and do an ADH trial. Your pup's symptoms don't sound like DI though.

 

 

His symptoms and bloodwork do sound like Cushings. Weird that the ACTH test was negative. Is it possible for both tests to give false negatives?

 

Dr. Martin spoke to the endocrinologist again yesterday and he said that it is possible to get false negatives, but with a false negative there's something in the bloodwork that would have been elevated and it wasn't. The endocrinologist also said he'd never heard of a greyhound getting Cushings and I think OSU has said the same thing.

Sorry, I can't remember what it was they were looking for in the bloodwork that should have been off. To look at Warlock's bloodwork and ultrasounds, he should be a healthy vibrant dog.

Edited September 17, 2009 by AngelWhispers

[Guest Energy11]

This IS puzzling! I hope they get to the bottom of it soon. In the meantime, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!

[CaliforniaGreys]

The endocrinologist also said he'd never heard of a greyhound getting Cushings and I think OSU has said the same thing.

 

What?????????

[AngelWhispers]

The endocrinologist also said he'd never heard of a greyhound getting Cushings and I think OSU has said the same thing.

 

What?????????

 

Exactly what I said, plus a whole lot more. I believe Dr. Macherey has 5 greys at her practice that she's treating for Cushings.

[kudzu]

Dr. Martin spoke to the endocrinologist again yesterday and he said that it is possible to get false negatives, but with a false negative there's something in the bloodwork that would have been elevated and it wasn't. The endocrinologist also said he'd never heard of a greyhound getting Cushings and I think OSU has said the same thing.

Sorry, I can't remember what it was they were looking for in the bloodwork that should have been off. To look at Warlock's bloodwork and ultrasounds, he should be a healthy vibrant dog.

That is just so frustrating. I am so sorry you & Warlock are going through this. The not knowing & not being able to treat him is awful. Does the Proin seem to still be working?

 

As for the bloodwork changes that suggest Cushing's, there are some and if you have a few sets of previous bloodwork you may even be able to charge the changes. I could with Angel's. Her's were primarily in the WBC's and Alk Phos. There were a couple others that it fit the pattern as well but I cannot remember those.

 

Here is a link with a little info on it: WSU Vetmed site

And a quote from same, "Laboratory tests that are most commonly altered by Cushing’s disease are an increase in white blood cell count, increase in the liver enzyme ALP (also called SAP or serum alkaline phosphatase), increased blood sugar (although not as high as the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients), increased cholesterol and dilute urine. See What Do Those Lab Tests Mean? for additional information about laboratory tests."

 

Hang in there. I know it's tough.

[AngelWhispers]

Dr. Martin spoke to the endocrinologist again yesterday and he said that it is possible to get false negatives, but with a false negative there's something in the bloodwork that would have been elevated and it wasn't. The endocrinologist also said he'd never heard of a greyhound getting Cushings and I think OSU has said the same thing.

Sorry, I can't remember what it was they were looking for in the bloodwork that should have been off. To look at Warlock's bloodwork and ultrasounds, he should be a healthy vibrant dog.

That is just so frustrating. I am so sorry you & Warlock are going through this. The not knowing & not being able to treat him is awful. Does the Proin seem to still be working?

 

As for the bloodwork changes that suggest Cushing's, there are some and if you have a few sets of previous bloodwork you may even be able to charge the changes. I could with Angel's. Her's were primarily in the WBC's and Alk Phos. There were a couple others that it fit the pattern as well but I cannot remember those.

 

Here is a link with a little info on it: WSU Vetmed site

And a quote from same, "Laboratory tests that are most commonly altered by Cushing’s disease are an increase in white blood cell count, increase in the liver enzyme ALP (also called SAP or serum alkaline phosphatase), increased blood sugar (although not as high as the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients), increased cholesterol and dilute urine. See What Do Those Lab Tests Mean? for additional information about laboratory tests."

 

 

Hang in there. I know it's tough.

 

WBC is perfect and I would at least expect them to be off if he had a UTI..not so. It was ALP that the endo dr said should be off...your post jogged my memory. Warlock's liver enzymes are perfect. Cholesterol is ever so slightly elevated...kind of a high normal. Dr. Martin is consulting with Dr. Nichols who is suppose to be a world renown endocrinologist and internal medicine specialist.

 

The proin is helping. He didn't leak again last night, but as soon as he stood up this morning he had to go bad. He's also not downing a large bowl of water every night. He's drinking a lot during the day, but not as much as a couple days ago...at least I'm not having to fill it as often. I'm seeing a slight improvement and last night he did go on a short yard patrol...he hasn't done that in about 10 days.

Edited September 17, 2009 by AngelWhispers

[Guest PhillyPups]

Just a quick question although I am not medically trained. I am wondering, it is at all possible, if all the medical tests are coming back good, could it be that Warlock is overly stressed?

 

I know my super sensitive Zeus is a stressor. If there are changes, (i.e., new ones in, loss of one, changes of any kind), he usually shows it by (a) loose stools; or ( lack of eating; or © sort of relegating himself to the upstairs untill he calms down with the change.

 

 

If I remember correctly, didn't you just get his brother, and don't you do a lot of fostering. Could this be part of it??

[AngelWhispers]

Just a quick question although I am not medically trained. I am wondering, it is at all possible, if all the medical tests are coming back good, could it be that Warlock is overly stressed?

 

I know my super sensitive Zeus is a stressor. If there are changes, (i.e., new ones in, loss of one, changes of any kind), he usually shows it by (a) loose stools; or ( lack of eating; or © sort of relegating himself to the upstairs untill he calms down with the change.

 

 

If I remember correctly, didn't you just get his brother, and don't you do a lot of fostering. Could this be part of it??

 

Good questions, and I've asked myself if there was anything that could have been a trigger. My house is pretty boring, calm and quiet until meal times.

 

Warlock is what I call a bomb proof dog...nothing stresses him, ever. He's the calmest, most gentle boy I've ever met and his brother is exactly like him...it's genetic. I call the boys my "Zen" dogs.

 

I do foster a lot, but 1 has been here since Feb except for a short time in another foster home and the other 2 have been here since Mar. or Apr. they're practically family, but Warlock doesn't have much interaction with them. They're turned out separate from my dogs, fed in a separate room and sleep at opposite sides of the house at night in crates.

 

Shoot he's calm...I'm stressed! His appetite is actually ravenous, and bless his heart he still stands on his hind legs while I'm putting his bowl down, even with the LS. Has never had diarrhea and he still hangs with his best buds. He's always been my healthy boy except for grain allergies that make him itchy. We avoid them and he does good.

 

 

 

[VinnieAndRexsMom]

Sending white light and prayers that the vets can diagnose this. I know you are stressed and scared.

Sending hugs to you,

[AngelWhispers]

Some of Warlock's tests are back and he does have bacteria in his urine. It's being cultured to determine what it is and the results could be back today, but most likely on Mon. He'll be started on antibiotics as soon as the results are back.

 

Our major concern right now is; he's losing lots of protein into his urine and he's wasting away before my eyes. There's some sort of protein losing nephropathy going on but we don't know the cause. We can't do the UPC test (urine protein:creatinine ration) until the bacteria problem is resolved. Once we do that test there's a very good chance he will do well on an ace inhibitor like enalapril.

 

This is hard, so very hard, but Warlock's spirit is good, he still has a very good appetite and he still has the energy to do yard patrol and give a woof at the forest fairies...they are the things Warlock sees that nobody else sees.

 

I'm trying to stay positive that we're finally moving in the right direction, but it's hard waiting for tests and more tests.

 

Please keep my kind, gentle boy in your thoughts and prayers.

[AngelWhispers]

Some of Warlock's tests are back and he does have bacteria in his urine. It's being cultured to determine what it is and the results could be back today, but most likely on Mon. He'll be started on antibiotics as soon as the results are back.

 

Our major concern right now is; he's losing lots of protein into his urine and he's wasting away before my eyes. There's some sort of protein losing nephropathy going on but we don't know the cause. We can't do the UPC test (urine protein:creatinine ration) until the bacteria problem is resolved. Once we do that test there's a very good chance he will do well on an ace inhibitor like enalapril.

 

This is hard, so very hard, but Warlock's spirit is good, he still has a very good appetite and he still has the energy to do yard patrol and give a woof at the forest fairies...they are the things Warlock sees that nobody else sees.

 

I'm trying to stay positive that we're finally moving in the right direction, but it's hard waiting for tests and more tests.

 

Please keep my kind, gentle boy in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Update: Warlock has a heavy load of e. coli and he's on cipro until the lab gives us the strain. We'll change his antibiotic if cipro isn't the correct one for the strain. Dr. M didn't want to wait until Mon. to start Warlock on antibiotics. He doesn't believe this is the cause of Warlock losing protein, but a secondary thing because of his compromised immune system right now. Yes, Warlock is raw fed with kibble and I stopped the raw on Thurs just in case. Now I'm glad I did.

 

[Guest Energy11]

The E-Coli could surely be making him a sick puppers. Hope they figure this out soon!

 

Good luck, and lots of love!

[Guest lindarose]

Hello

I'm new to the forum. My daughter's pom was diagnosed with Cushings. She is on 30mg capsules of Vetoryl/Trilostane. The meds are $80.00 (from the vet) for 30 capsules and she is haveing a hard time afording this. Any suggestions where to buy this drug at a better price. She has finally talked the vet into giving her a prescription....our vets do not like to do this, but he agreed to do it for my daughter. SO, any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Thank you very much,

Linda Bauman

[CaliforniaGreys]

Hello

I'm new to the forum. My daughter's pom was diagnosed with Cushings. She is on 30mg capsules of Vetoryl/Trilostane. The meds are $80.00 (from the vet) for 30 capsules and she is haveing a hard time afording this. Any suggestions where to buy this drug at a better price. She has finally talked the vet into giving her a prescription....our vets do not like to do this, but he agreed to do it for my daughter. SO, any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Thank you very much,

Linda Bauman

 

Hi Linda,

Not all vets go for this, but it's worth talking to him/her about getting the Trilostane from a compounding pharmacy.

Good luck, Cushings is not a fun ride

[NevadasMom]

I used a compounding pharmacy called Pet Health Pharmacy here in Arizona. They were great & reasonable. Another is Roadrunner also in AZ. Both have good reputations.